PASADENA >> In light of recent controversial police shootings of unarmed black men both in Southern California and across the nation, more than 100 people marched in Pasadena late Thursday to call for peace, solidarity and improved relations between police and communities at a rally organized by two young Pasadena women.

The “Every Life Matters Peace and Solidarity Rally” began at Central Park and made its way to Pasadena City Hall. Demonstrators held signs condemning police brutality and showing support for unarmed black men recently killed in encounters with police. Signs bore the names of Michel Brown, 18, who was shot by a police officer in Ferguson, Missouri, earlier this month; Eric Garner, 43, who died after being placed in a choke hold by a New York police officer on Staten Island in July; Kendrec McDade,19, who was shot to death by Pasadena police in March of 2012, among others.

“It really broke by heart to see young lives taken and people not seeing the other side,” said Clarke McRae, 20, of Pasadena, who organized Thursday’s event along with friend Ife Sangode, 21, of Pasadena.

Whether in Pasadena or across the nation, “I see a lot of these cases as similar,” McRae said.

“It was important for us to speak up and stand up for what is right,” McRae said. “It’s not about being African-American or black, it’s about all races coming together in solidarity and letting our voices be heard.”

Sangode said she hoped that the march would encourage other young people to take a role in shaping their communities.

Demonstrators heard from community activists, clergy and Pasadena City Councilwoman Jacque Robinson. A poet and singer performed.

And though the marchers expressed frustration over specific incidents of police uses of force and questioned police policies, the peaceful group also gave Pasadena police officers a round of applause for escorting the march.

But some demonstrators said that based on their experiences, they cannot trust the police.

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“I don’t ever want to be afraid of the police. I’m afraid of them,” said McRae’s mother, Dona Grant. She added that when her son and daughter go out, she often worries about them being hassled by police.

The “criminalization of black men” was discussed by many demonstrators and speakers.

“We want our young men to have a chance,” Grant said. “We’re not blaming the police,” she said. “They need different training or a new way of dealing with these situations. I know it’s difficult out there, but they need to think twice.”

Grant added that she “couldn’t be more proud” of her daughter for her work to organize the march.

Community activist and former teacher K-Rahn Vallatine of Pasadena urged demonstrators to continue taking action after Thursday’s rally to improve the situation.

“The criminalization of black men: This is deeply rooted in our nation. It’s been going on for hundreds and hundreds of years,” he said.

Waiting for social change to occur spontaneously will bring no progress, Vallatine said.

The tool for change is self empowerment and community empowerment, he said, Vallatine encouraged the crowd to invest in their community by “tithing our talents” and taking an interest in the character development of young people.

Pasadena Police Chief Phillip Sanchez said he was glad the police department was invited to the rally.

“The essence of this rally and peace march is well-captured by these young people. Every life does matter,” the chief said. “I believe our young people have a voice.”

And despite tensions that have arisen between the community and Pasadena police, “In our community, there’s an element of trust,” Sanchez said.

A final report on the 2012 police shooting of Kendrec McDade by the County of Los Angeles Office of Independent Review was submitted to the city Aug. 7, according to a statement issued last week by City Manager Michael Beck.

The report analyzes the incident, the investigation that followed, the department’s training and tactics and “any lessons learned from this event,” Beck said. Recommendations are included in the report, and the city is the process of preparing responses to those recommendations.

“The recommendations and the responses will be publicly presented to the City Council Public Safety Committee meeting in September,” Beck said. “In addition, the City Attorney is working with staff to determine if any or all of the report can legally be released to the public.”

A Los Angeles County District Attorney’s Office investigation, concluded in late 2012, found the two involved officers acted lawfully. Pasadena city officials in June settled wrongful death lawsuits filed by McDade’s parents, paying out just over $1 million.

Councilwoman Robinson presented McRae and Sangode with certificates of appreciation for their work to organize the rally.

“Since I’ve been on the City Council, unfortunately, I’ve had the occasion to have to deal with killings and shootings, not just at the hands of officers, but also at the hands of other community members and other instances. And I want to say that as a council member, none of it is easy,” she said.

And because Pasadena is a tightly-knit community, “Many of these are happening at the hands of people that we know,” Robinson said.

Some speakers spoke of the near-certainty that the community again be rocked by a controversial incident involving police in the future.

“It’s going to be hard. It’s going to take difficult conversations, conversations that we’ve had in Pasadena and conversations that we will continue to have,” Robinson said.

The councilwoman added she hoped to play a role, “in helping us come to a resolution and make sure that we turn all this anger and frustration into action, community engagement and civic participation.”

“I believe that we have to remain optimistic, and we have to do the work that’s necessary to build the relationship with our local police department, but also the relationship among ourselves.”